Press of Choice

[Howland937]

Preferred is probably the LNL AP...just because I mostly load pistol ammo and it's my quickest means to that end.
When I loaded rifle ammo (and if I got into it again) RCBS Rockchucker or Jr.
I do have one of those nutcrackers around here somewhere. Handi Loader or something similar they call it? What few times I've used it, I did it on a TV tray and not my lap.

 

[Mark_Mark]

The original load is 140 grains of 1fg powder and a 678 grain bullet. I got some reloads with the rifle, but they scared me just thinking about shooting them, even in the 15 lb. Freund Bros. Sharps! So my loads are much milder and easy to shoot. I'm loading a 500 grain bullet with 120 grains of Swiss 1.5fg and in this heavy rifle they're less felt recoil than my .45-70 loads.

Everyone need a Dinosaur Buffalo gun,
just once in their life

 

[westernrover]

I like my RCBS Summit with a cross-pin upgrade and Lee Breech Lock insert used with the Lock-ring Eliminators. I use it for resizing, seating, which can be done with Redding Competition dies or with the arbor press conversion fittings and LE Wilson chamber-type seating dies, and crimping. I like that it keeps the shellholder still and moves the die. It's different, but works well. It doesn't have the most mechanical advantage for resizing very hard cases or swaging bullets, but it works fine for bumping shoulders and seating bullets.

 

[Highland Lofts]

I like the Hornady Lock n Load single-stage press. A 1/4 turn and the dies are installed.
A 1/4 turn and the dies are out.
I also like the RCBS Rockchucker press with the lock n load adapter installed.

 

[9mmepiphany]

My favorite press was my first. A Hornady LNL AP.

I loaded on it for years before I thought it might be a good idea to have a single stage. Since I couldn't afford a Co-Ax, and couldn't justify the price difference (2x) to a Rockchucker, I got A Lee Classic Cast...never regretted it; but never loaded on it either.

I've had Lee Pro 6000, Dillon 650/750, and Mark 7 Apec-10 progressives on my bench beside the LNL and the LNL is still what I reach for first because it is the easiest to change over and adjust

 

[Otto]

I'm still getting by with my RCBS Jr I got in the 1960's. Someday I'll send off the lower stage with the bicycle handlebar grip and have RCBS send me back a handle with the ball. No sense in rushing into these things.

RCBS doesn’t have the handles for the Jr any longer. I inquired about this several years ago. Even the company that made the bicycle grip (Wilde) is long gone. Better to mill the original handle and mount the ball yourself.
I have 2 Jr’s, one used and another NIB. But I use a Hollywood now.

 

[luv2safari]

RCBS doesn’t have the handles for the Jr any longer. I inquired about this several years ago. Even the company that made the bicycle grip (Wilde) is long gone. Better to mill the original handle and mount the ball yourself.
I have 2 Jr’s, one used and another NIB. But I use a Hollywood now.

Time sure ran past me fast. Seems like just last month I asked RCBS about the round ball handle. Maybe I'll drill out and epoxy an 8-ball onto the handle end?

 

[GW Staar]

I'm tempted, but my old Rock Chucker II is really the only "D" press I'll ever need......What with that, plus a Pro 2000 progressive, a Summit Press, a Pro Chucker 7, a Lee APP, and a Lee Pro 6000 "six pack," I'm "pressed" to the hilt already. I love that big ole new RCBS beast...tough as hell it is, and has the widest mouth of any RCBS single, but I need it like a hole in the head......okay.......maybe I already have that hole in the head.....6 presses, and 5 bullet/case electric collators is already the proof my wife might need to have me committed to the funny farm. Good thing she likes me still....

I should mention that my first pistol bullet feeder was a Hornady, that cost nearly $300. The other 4 are 3D printed and cost $60, or less, a piece depending on how expensive a motor i bought.....and that price includes several caliber changes that, at Mr. Bullet Feeder, cost over $100 each....such a caliber change can be printed for $10 each.

My Summit Press benefited from a APP style 3D printed case feeder:

 

[jmorris]

I have a number of them, what one I pick depends on my wants and needs. No favorites just what one is the best for what I need.

If there were a single best, I would only have one.

 

[troy fairweather]

Rcbs, would like to try the mec but being a c press I haven't tried one yet.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Rcbs, would like to try the mec but being a c press I haven't tried one yet.

I thought the MEC Marksman was an "H" press

 

[Otto]

Time sure ran past me fast. Seems like just last month I asked RCBS about the round ball handle. Maybe I'll drill out and epoxy an 8-ball onto the handle end?

RCBS made 3 different versions of the Junior press. And the Jr 3 was identical to the Reloader Special just with a different name.
When RCBS sold the replacement handle, they also required the purchase of a new toggle block, toggle block pin and 2 retaining rings. I asked RCBS about this but their answer was vague.

 

[luv2safari]

RCBS made 3 different versions of the Junior press. And the Jr 3 was identical to the Reloader Special just with a different name.
When RCBS sold the replacement handle, they also required the purchase of a new toggle block, toggle block pin and 2 retaining rings. I asked RCBS about this but their answer was vague.

Yep

They never could explain the whole change over in a way that made sense. They just said it's the way it needs to be done.

 

[troy fairweather]

I thought the MEC Marksman was an "H" press

Guess it's maybe considered a h press but still open face type, probably plenty strong but with the case forming I sometimes do and heavy sizing like making 458 bullets from 45 acp I think I'd be better off with a O frame press. The mec I tried felt super smooth tho, I like the toggle and the handle is in the center. The floating shell holder is nice but wonder if that would affect cases when forming.

 

[Theinkman]

Rcbs, would like to try the mec but being a c press I haven't tried one yet.

I have a MEC Marksman and like it a lot. Real smooth and solid. This is the one I use for my rifle stuff; RCBS turret given to me by my FIL gets used for handgun ammo. The primer catcher on the MEC is not great but I've gotten it to work acceptably well. I would recommend that press to someone looking for a SS.

Like many, I started off with a Rockchucker. Made a lot of ammo on that press. Gave it to my FIL when I moved to MA. He gave me the RCBS turret when I moved back.

 

[jimbo4]

2 RCBS Supreme for Rifle Lee classic turret for handguns.Just bought a per 23 lee pro 1000 to play around with.

 

[JEBruns]

I've had Lee Pro 6000, Dillon 650/750, and Mark 7 Apec-10 progressives on my bench beside the LNL and the LNL is still what I reach for first because it is the easiest to change over and adjust

A good point. My favorite loader is my Dillon RL1100. Just a bullet making machine, rarely (like never) needs any adjustments. But it sucks to change it over to a different caliber. And if you want spare toolheads, you'll need to bring some Benjamins. I do like it a lot, but I never look forward to switching calibers.

First metallic press was an RCBS ammo master, which I still have. Always needed a little tweaking/tuning, but put out a lot of good ammo for me before I turned blue. I have a Dillon 550 also, strictly for slow loading (hand drop powder) 6.5CM. Had a Dillon 650 before the 1100.

 

[Chuck R.]

I've got: RCBS Rockchucker, Redding Ultra-mag, Dillon 550 and 650, Ponsness/Warren 375C and a Ponsness/Warren 900 Elite.

Probably spend most of my time on the Redding.

 

[GoldieMI]

Co-Ax

 

[himfeld]

Upgraded a Pacific 007 to MEC Marksman last year, nice unit. LNL AP for pistol. Still use Pacific DL-150s in 12 and 20 gauge.

 

[bbqncigars]

I still use my Bonanza Co Ax for small batches, the LNL AP for quantity, and the Lee Classic Cast to feed the fifties. I sometimes load a few 38-55 and 45-70 with the Lyman 310 tool just for a change of pace.

 

[lightman]

Any of the "O" frame presses with compound linkage should serve you well. I use a RcokChucker. Its been cycled 10's of thousands of times and is still smooth and tight.

 

[styles]

Lee classic turret for revolvers.

 

[luv2safari]

My RCBS JR ended up in the trash when the pressed in handle fell off. Sorry, I wasn't impressed with it.

I went for a couple decades with only a progressive press. I decided to add a Lee classic cast press when a used Rockchucker came along for too cheap to pass up. There are some operations that the single stage is nice for. I thought I would use the single stage for low volume loading of not very often shot cartridges like 8 x 57 Mauser. Some how I always justify setting up a head for my Dillon since it is much safer to load on the press I have been using for 3+ decades rather than futz my way through single stage loading which I have done very little of.

The handle in my Jr press is threaded.

When did RCBS change to a pressed in handle?

 

[PWC]

Started 38 yrs ago with, now, 83 yr old Pacific "C" single stage press, and an equally old Pacific powder balance, and 1950s Lyman 55 powder measure. Loaded everything I used. Old doesn't mean less capable...for tools anyway.